Suggested Citation:
Olsson, Josefine A., Kelsey Ridley, Maria Abadie, Priya Chhiba, Sabbie Miller (2025)

Framework for the Evaluation of the Adoptability of Novel Low-Carbon Cementand Concrete Technologies

. Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis, Research Report UCD-ITS-RR-25-107

Abstract:

This report presents a framework for evaluating the adoptability of novel low-carbon cement and concrete technologies. The method evaluates materials across environmental impacts, material performance, and feasibility. The approach uses risk and uncertainty scoring to guide decisions on incubation, piloting, deployment, or rejection. A case study of limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) demonstrates the framework’s application. For this case study, LC3 shows low uncertainty and low risk for environmental impacts and material performance, with medium risk in feasibility due to infrastructure, supply chain, and permitting factors. The framework is derived based on data center construction and is adaptable to other sectors where concrete contributes to embodied emissions.